Thought provoking indeed! Tim, I think that this is probably one of your most fascinating and thought provoking blogs to date. South Africa is indeed a nation of huge contrasts in so many ways...thank you for highlighting our many exceptional achievements, whilst acknowledging our shortcomings. I must say that at times I ‘feel’ for the ‘Government’ - damned if they do, damned if they don’t. They were under enormous, mounting pressure to open the economy, to salvage those businesses and jobs that had not been destroyed, to open schools so that the year would not be wasted....only to be greeted with the inevitable, climbing numbers of infections and deaths. The slowing of the curve allowed us to get ready for the inevitable spike. Now we are experiencing that spike, the blame game continues. Us oldies must now, more than ever, stick together and be properly sensible. Well done, Tim, on engaging and challenging us so effectively ???.
Covid-19 Thanks Megs. I suspect in the next few years we will witness Commissions and Enquiries in many countries as society probes and questions the actions of politicians which infringed on so many personal liberties.
Tim, thanks for this summary and interesting closing view from Adrian Gore, whose intellectual talent is undoubted in my view. What continues to concern me is the amount of fake news and how gullible we are as humans, happy to blindly accept he opinions of people we do not know and who in fact often have their own agenda, and if that is not enough to then pass it on to our circle as if we endorsed it! The result is that it is nearly impossible to determine what is true and what is not, and the world cannot operate like that on a sustainable basis - how does this get addressed? Thanks John
Covid-19 Thanks John. Appreciate your feedback. There remain more questions than answers and the conspiracies feed into this confusion. This won't change anytime soon!
Extraordinary times! Thank you, as always, Tim, for a perceptive analysis of what is happening, in South Africa and around the world. Scary times indeed ?
A great read Great blog Dad! First sensible thing I’ve read this week. Scary times ahead, those of us who are lucky enough to have a job that is still in operation I guess just need to keep our heads down and support those who don’t wherever we can!
Thoughtful analysis As always, Tim, a thoughtful analysis, particularly of the South African situation and our precarious future...which was precarious anyway! But now the rest of the world joins us in insecurity about what is to become of the world economy in these trying times. Difficult to see a way out until the virus is under control. For how long will we oldies be locked down? Scary! As you point out, conspiracy theories on all sides continue to abound. I have seen documentaries and read ‘expert’ articles accusing China, accusing the US, accusing the WHO, accusing accusing accusing. Doesn’t solve the problem at this stage, although an independent investigation in the future would certainly be useful. I doubt that we will ever get to the truth. Trump’s administration is desperately trying to distract from their President’s appalling lack of, well, everything, in handling the crisis in the US, China is desperately trying to deflect responsibility from itself, the WHO is desperately trying to stay afloat and relevant.... Thank goodness for Cyril, but as to the future?? Thank you, Tim, for sharing your thoughts and for stimulating debate and discussion. Much appreciated!
This is really something, and the real challenge for us lesser mortals is to be able to differentiate between fact and fake. We are in a very difficult position, and have to rely on those with the knowledge and without prejudice to pronounce the truth, which may be a challenge given the many agendas that will be in play, Thanks for this enlightening article Tim
Covid-19 Hi John I'm sure many of us would have taken the view that the info on the documentary is perhaps not entirely accurate but having watched it, I just could not ignore the raw facts coming through.I have done searches & will continue to do so to see what backlash emerges on the documentary. Even if its 75% accurate, it raises some frightening questions. Take care.
Conspiracy theories Tim, I am afraid that I really am not with you on this one. I simply cannot believe that such an evil conspiracy would be engineered by fellow humans. China itself has suffered enormously. That is not to say that perhaps China was remiss in not warning the world soon enough. Just as a matter of interest, I understand that the so-called ‘Spanish flu’ actually originated in America, but I don’t think that America has ever been accused of a conspiracy in that pandemic? Your thoughts?
Covid-19 Hi Megs
I know as much or less than anyone but I have simply tried to put info out there which is based on what is in the public domain. Draw your own conclusions.
Covid-19 Hi Megs
I know as much or less than anyone but I have simply tried to put info out there which is based on what is in the public domain. Draw your own conclusions.
Covid-19 Hi Megs
I know as much or less than anyone but I have simply tried to put info out there which is based on what is in the public domain. Draw your own conclusions.
Covid-19 Thanks Brettie. It is actually hard to comprehend that the Chinese could engineer this pandemic and then get away with it. This is how WWars start!
The virus continues its relentless path... Thank you, Tim, for another thought provoking, well researched analysis of the current situation we find ourselves in. The South( African scenario is extremely interesting in that we seem to be on our own unique trajectory, defying trends all over the world. But, as Prof Abdool was anxious to point out, we will at some stage be swamped with infections, given our demographics. We have, however, managed to buy time in order to prepare for our tsunami. The virus won’t go away, just more people will hopefully become immune, or a vaccine will be produced. His advice is that, long term, vulnerable people...the over sixties and those with underlying health issues, will need to take responsibility and self isolate as far as possible for the foreseeable future. The economy, schools etc need to open and society cannot lock down endlessly. Interesting indeed! The photo of Liv is just gorgeous. You are fortunate indeed to have her with you ??
A 65 year old South African male passionate about travel and flyfishing wherever the opportunity presents itself. Recording the travel story adds to the enjoyment.... full info
Megan Birkett
non-member comment
Thought provoking indeed!
Tim, I think that this is probably one of your most fascinating and thought provoking blogs to date. South Africa is indeed a nation of huge contrasts in so many ways...thank you for highlighting our many exceptional achievements, whilst acknowledging our shortcomings. I must say that at times I ‘feel’ for the ‘Government’ - damned if they do, damned if they don’t. They were under enormous, mounting pressure to open the economy, to salvage those businesses and jobs that had not been destroyed, to open schools so that the year would not be wasted....only to be greeted with the inevitable, climbing numbers of infections and deaths. The slowing of the curve allowed us to get ready for the inevitable spike. Now we are experiencing that spike, the blame game continues. Us oldies must now, more than ever, stick together and be properly sensible. Well done, Tim, on engaging and challenging us so effectively ???.